My very best friend is pregnant.
I hosted her baby shower last weekend, & in my panic to make everything perfect for her I forgot to give her, her card & letter.

So here it is, my letter to my very best friend before giving birth to her first baby. Its full of laughs & cries & is completely 100% us, so if you dont like foul language, skip this & just look at the pictures ;)

Dear Shelby,
In some ways I envy you. I envy your big round belly, constant admirers, and excuse to down your lunch, cheetos & a candy bar all in one sitting. I envy your time, your naps, your organized nursery and neatly folded baby clothes. I envy your ignorance; your wonderful, pregnant, pre-baby ignorance.
I don’t envy your birth, or more accurately your post-birth. You know this because I have told you the in's & outs of every detail, you don't even want to know about my births. I’m sorry because everyone says “the pain is worth it,” but fails to acknowledge how you shit glass for weeks afterward. I’m not sure why no one tells you this. Someone should tell you so you don’t call your doctor in a panic and say something ridiculous like, “I don’t think my anus is in the right spot.”
I feel like just yesterday we had our "fake" babies for Child Development class,luckily that class doesn't really teach you much on being a mom. Beings I broke my key, shooved my baby in a closet under some blankets for the weekend; & I turned out to be a great mom! None of my babies have been shooved in a closet for the weekend..yet ;)
Theres a few bits of advice I want to give you, cause I am your best friend & its my job to tell you these things: 
Breastfeeding is super tricky. Even tho we have been going steady for the past 9 months, I hate to break it to everyone but its not "the most natural thing in the world" & the whole "it shouldn't hurt" I call  bullshit on, cause its does. If it ends up not working & you go formula, don't feel bad or think any less of yourself, you won't go to mommy hell.
 Secondly, there is gonna times after you have the baby that people say that are gonna make you want cut them; these things could be similar to:
"you need to him on a schedule.."
"is he sleeping thru the night yet?"
"its such a magical time isnt it?'
"don't you just love being a mommy"
& my favorite " just wait.......followed by something equally as annoying as before said comments"
or when your walking thru the grocery & everyone tries to touch your baby, & they WILL no matter how much blue you put on your child they WILL call him a girl.
Hold back, fight the urge.
Thirdy, after the baby there is blood; lots of blood. Like some SAW movie crazy amount of blood. Ive found it best to just  not look. Don't look down there at all. 
& Finally: Call your mom, turns out; they do know everything. Just don't tell her that.
In all seriousness, I can't believe we are to this point in our lives. Us BOTH, having children.
I want you know how proud of you I am. I see you already becoming this beautiful soul of a mother. The thought of you the day you have him, looking down at him for the first time; seriously makes me want to cry. Ive been telling you about this feeling & now you get to feel it. Its so amazing. 
& I know you wonder how do I KNOW your going to be a great mom?
I know because you have been my best friend for years now. You have picked me up when I am crying. You have comforted me when Ive needed it the most. You have given me the best advice & given me a swift kick in the ass when needed. All of those things you will do for you son. 

There is something about when your best friends becomes a moms. They "understand" my lack anything other than yoga pants, why exactly its been 2..3..4. days since my last shower & join "the club".
& while I am so excitied to welcome this beautiful life into the world I am excited about being there. Being there for you, like you have been there for me. Showing me what its like to have a best friend while being a mom. Its different then. Not only are they mostly likely the only adult conversation you will have weeks, but you need your friend to let you know you are doing great job. & friend, I am gonna be there for that. Im gonna be there to cheer you on, to remind you its all gonna be ok & help you figure out "is that chocolate or poop" cause babe, that is a more common question than you would think.

Your beautiful, Your amazing, Your gonna be the best momma, for this I know.

I will pray for you.
I will pray for your son.
& most importantly I pray for your first post-labor poo.

You know Im just a phone call away.
Welcome to the club.

Love you always,
Tara


& now for the baby shower pics!
I designed every.single.thing.
from the cupcake toppers to the diaper cake :)
'Ready to Pop" popcorn bar!
popcorn bags